2008 Aussie Marine Awards - Buizen takes Honours
When you are thinking of investing in any product, information about what the 'experts' think is one factor to consider towards making your decision - not infallible, but probably a strong persuader. That's why no matter what kind of craft you hanker for, you'll be interested in the results in the Australian Marine Awards - especially the fact that the Buizen 48 has taken the honours.
'Buizen takes the Honours'
Buizen
The honour was awarded to the Australian pilothouse yacht marque's flagship vessel ahead of solid competition from local and international vessels, each evaluated against an exhaustive checklist by a team of independent judges.
While one can't help noticing the lack of many sailing boat classes, the strong line-up of finalists in this year's awards is proof that Australian consumers have more choice of marine product than ever before, according to CEO of the Australian Marine Industries Federation (AMIF), Sherry Donaldson.
Ms Donaldson said 61 finalists battled it out for the 2008 Australian Marine Awards which were announced at The Marriott Resort Surfers Paradise on May 22. ?
The finalists faced judging panels in Perth, Gold Coast and Sydney. Ms Donaldson said nominations from locally manufactured and imported products was an indication of the wide choice available to consumers.
'The benefit of choice is also available to overseas consumers because many of the Australian made products are exported and compete on the international market.
'Ever since the arrival of the First Fleet, Australia has been a boating nation and while our economy remains strong and the population continues to expand, the marine industry will be an integral part of coastal and inland communities.'
'All finalists represent excellence in quality and to be a finalist is an outstanding achievement in itself,' she said.
Ms Donaldson said the award finalists were evaluated by two teams of judges, four from media and four independents, all of whom were experts in their individual fields.
The 2008 judges were Kevan Wolfe, Ian Macrae, Chris Beattie, Mark (Doc) Robinson, Andy Cooper, Antony Krokowski, Rod Tweddle, Mike Brown and Ian Ward. ?
Judging criteria for finalists includes an exhaustive checklist of more than 40 items covering overall impressions, presentation, ergonomics, performance and safety.
Full results of the Awards are:
| Boat of the Year (Sail) | ||
| Buizen Yachts | Buizen 48 | Winner |
| Boat of the Year (Power) | ||
| The Riviera Group | Riviera 4400 Sport Yacht | Winner |
| Sailing Non Trailerable - Cruising Over 10m | ||
| Buizen Yachts | Buizen 48 | Winner |
| Fishing Trailerable - Fibreglass/GRP Under 6m | ||
| PM Marine Manufacturing | Evolution 550 Platinum | Winner |
| Fishing Trailerable - Fibreglass/GRP Over 6m | ||
| The Haines Group | Signature 675F | Commendation |
| Theodore Marine | 720 Offshore | Winner |
| Fishing Trailerable - Aluminium Under 6m | ||
| Stacer | 459 Barra Pro | Commendation |
| Evolution Boat Builders | Evolution Outsider 520 | Winner |
| Fishing Trailerable - Aluminium Over 6m | ||
| Quintrex | 670 Offshore SDD | Winner |
| Goldstar Boats | 7600 Excalibur Centre Cab | Commendation |
| Fishing Non Trailerable - Up To 10m | ||
| Leisurecat Australia | 8000 Sportsfisher | Winner |
| Fishing Non Trailerable - Over 10m | ||
| Maritimo | Maritimo 550 Offshore Convertible | Winner |
| Cruiser Trailerable - Fibreglass/GRP Over 6m | ||
| Whittley Marine Group | Whittley 2800 Cruiser | Winner |
| Theodore Marine | 720 Soft Top Coastal | Commendation |
| Cruiser Trailerable - Aluminium Over 6m | ||
| Kirby Marine | DV8 10m Naiad | Winner |
| Cruiser Trailerable - Aluminium Under 6m | ||
| Brunswick Boat Group | Savage 540 Beachcomber Sterndrive | Winner |
| Cruiser Non Trailerable - Up to 10m | ||
| Powercat Marine | 3000 Sports Cabriolet | Winner |
| Cruiser Non Trailerable - Over 10m | ||
| The Riviera Group | Riviera 4400 Sport Yacht | Winner |
| Brava Marine | Brava 45 Sports | Commendation |
| Imported Fishing Trailerable Power | ||
| Marine Network | Seafox 206CC | Winner |
| Imported Non Trailerable Fishing Power | ||
| G4 Marine | Grady White Express 305 | Winner |
| Imported Trailerable Cruiser Power | ||
| Cobalt Boats Australia | Cobalt 222 | Winner |
| Blakes Marine | Campion Allante 825 | Commendation |
| Imported Non Trailerable Cruiser Power | ||
| Boats International | Horizon 65 Flybridge Motor Yacht | Winner |
| The Riviera Group | Grand Banks Heritage 59 | Commendation |
| Imported Non-Trailerable Sail Cruising Up to 10m | ||
| Antill International Marine | Dufour D325 | Winner |
| Imported Non-Trailerable Sail Cruising Over 10m | ||
| Antill International Marine | Dufour D425 | Winner |
| Imported Trailerable Sail Cruising | ||
| Multihull Yacht Sales Australia | Corsair Sprint 750 | Winner |
| Ski | ||
| The Haines Group | Super Air Nautique 210 | Commendation |
| Performance Marine | Spyboats RX22 | Winner |
| Matrix Marine | Matrix MVS 08 | Commendation |
| Dayboat | ||
| Quintrex Pty Ltd | Quintrex 530 Freedom Cruiser | Commendation |
| Theodore Marine | 720 Open Coastal | Winner |
| Houseboat of the Year | ||
| Houseboat Concepts | Absolute | Winner |
| Houseboat Concepts | Parachilna Sunset | Commendation |
| Baldwin Boats | Pure Indulgence | Commendation |
| Innovative Product | ||
| Marina Protection System | Grounding Strap | Commendation |
| Walter Peter Wright | Boat Hook/Mooring System | Winner |
[The Australian Marine Awards is supported by media partners Club Marine, Modern Boating, the Gold Coast Bulletin, Seaspray and Yaffa Publishing and is sponsored by OCV Reinforcements, Fusion, Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (DIISR), Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show and the Gold Coast City Council.]
by BW Media
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Falcon, WA
